Patterning mechanism for knitting machines



Nov. 29, 1932. r. c. BROMLEY ET AL. 1,889,631

PATTERNING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 18. 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet l g I) I E to m 6 l Nov. 29, 1932. 'r. c. BROMLEY ET AL. 3

PATTERNING'MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Nov. 29, 1932.

T. BROMLEY ETAL PATTERNING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 18. 1330 7 Sneetsfiheat 3 mfllllllllllll Hill I I1 \lllllllll Nov. 23, 1932. T. c. BRoMLEY ET AL 1,839,631

Y'ATTERNING' MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 18, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 29, 1932. 'r. c. BROMLEY ET AL FATTERNING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed'Jan. 18, 1930 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 v Zaaenfim 1 Nov. 29, 1932. 1'. c. BROMLEY ET AL 1,889,531

, PATTERNING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Jan. 18. 1950- Sheets-finest 6 Nov. 29, 1932.

T. c. BROMLEY ET AL 1,389,631 PATTERNING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Fild Jan. 18, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 v haven/075 l6. M j yi Patented Nov. 29, 1932 UNITED STATES.

PATENT 'FFWE enemas mm Imommvmn antenna SHORTLAND, or amonsrna, nnemnn, ASSIGNORS 'ro MELLOB mommy a commny LIMITED, or LEICESTER, ENGLAND,

A BRITISH COMPANY PATTEBNING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Application filed January 18, 1980,'Serla1.No. 421,687, and in Great Britain February 16, 1929.

This inveiition relates to patterning mechreadily understood, we will describe, with reference to the aecompanyim drawings, some constructional forms of tlie improved pattern mechanism, such as may be used for example in a circular knitting machine wherein slidable needles are actuated by jacks thereunder.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view and Figure 2 is a side elevation of one form of the invention Figure 3 is a sectional view of a needle cylinder and one of the selecting members in the active position but inoperative upon the opposing jack. I

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but shows the selecting member acting upon an opposing jack.

igure 5 is a plan view and Fi ure 6 is a art sectional elevation of a modi ed form 0 the invention.

Figure 7 is a view per se ofa modified form of needle jack hereinafter particularly referred to.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate modifications concerned with a controlling drum described later herein.

Figure 10 is a developed view of the cam system employed in combination with the pattern mechanism.

Figure 11 isa plan view of two of the cams employed in said system.

Figure 12 is a sectional plan view of the cams shown in Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a sectional elevation taken on line XIII-XIII of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a sectional elevation taken on line XIVXIV of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a side elevationof the head of the circular knitting machine showing how that form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and2 is applied to the machine.

Figure 16 is aside elevation of one form of the invention adapted for selective action upon sinkers or web holders.

Figure 17 is a part sectional end elevation of a flat machine showing a form of the invention applied thereto and Figure 18 is a View looking in the direction of the arrow in Figure 17.

The improved mechanism is mainly intended for application to circular knitting machines having slidable needles, but it may be applledto anytype of circular knittin machine either latch or beard needle, also to straight-bar and other machines; in fact the pattern mechanism constituting this invention 1s to be regarded as a master mechanism,

applicable to knitting machines in general,

for acting selectively upon needles, sinkers,

web-holders or other elements for producing pattern effects in the fabric as it is knitted.

The said pattern mechanism comprise, a

series of rotary members formed or adapted to have selective action upon the elements of the machine which are to be controlled or influenced, said rotary members being movable individually into and-out of action pref-' erably under pattern control.

By the expression .rotary members we mean discs, rings, wheels and the like pattern members, as will he hereinafter set forth.

The said series may comprise two or more of the rotary members referred to, the important or characteristic feature of the invention being that members in the series are individually movable into and out of operation.

The pattern mechanism may consist of a number of selecting members each supported by a separate carrier adapted for move= ment whereby its member can be moved to and from an operative position, the movement of the carriers being impart-ed or con trolled by a pattern device so that the assoinoperative in predetermined manner according to the pattern efiect to be produced.

In such arrangement the selecting members may themselves be selectively controlled,

that is to say, the pattern device or means.

having peripheral formations or elementsfor engagement with said instrumcntalities. It is to be understood however that the said member may vary as regards form and likewise as regards manner of mounting and movement.

.The rotary members are preferably positively driven so that the drive is not interfered with by their movement into and out of action and consequently their register with the instrumentalities is maintained while out of action. The said members are also preferably removable and interchangeable with others for changing the pattern. The members themselves may be variable for producing difi'erent efl'ects.

According to a convenient practical embodiment of the invention, applicable for use in circular knitting machines having slidable needles, the patterning mechanism comprises a series of rotary selecting members in the form of discs orwheels having notched peripheries for acting upon the needles or jacks employed therewith.

The discs or wheels are mounted indepndently of each other so' as to be individualmovable into and out of engagement with t e needles or jacks.

Each disc or wheel is carried by a swinging or slidable plate capable of movement in a radial or substantially radial direction to enable the disc or wheel to be displaced bodily in relation to the needle cylinder, whereby it may be rendered operative and inoperative. The movements of the swinging or slidable lates for the purpose aforesaid are obtained y spring means, and a cam drum or some similar pattern controller. Preferably the carrier plates are spring controlled to hold the discs in an inoperative position and are moved by a cam drum or equivalent to carry the discs into engagement with the needles or their jacks.

The discs are positively rotated by mechanism which ensures maintenance of register between the peripheries of the discs and the needles or jacksofthe machine so that, when the discs are moved to the operative position, they will properly mesh with the instrumentalities of the machine which they are to infiuence.

Conveniently, for this purpose, the discs or wheels are driven by a common member such as a pinion or driving rod or key arranged in such relation to the discs that movement of the latter to and from the operative position can occur without disengage- Ignent of the said discs from the driving mem- The discs may be directly driven by the pinion, rod or key, but it is preferred to provide the carrier plates with a rotary part, such as a wheel or ring, which is driven by the driving member and to which the discs are applied in a removable manner so that they may be interchanged witlrothers having different peripheral formations for the purpose of chan in the pattern effect produced in the knitted fa ric.

In the arrangement just described the carrier plates ma be suitably stacked so as to move indepen ently of each other, and, for putting the various discs or wheels into operation in pre-arranged manner, the cam drum or equivalentdevice for acting upon the plates may have cams or projections suitably distributed for acting in desired order. This cam drum or equivalent may be operated by ratchet or other mechanism, and this ma be controlled by pattern means.

ccording to the form illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the pattern mechanism comprises a series of plates 1 stacked one above another and slidable towards and from the needle cylinder 2 in vertical guides 3 carried by a bracket 3a and having grooves 4 cut therein for the reception of the plates. Inserted in each of the lates 1 is a rotatable ring 5 formed with a ange 6 which rests on the plate and has peripheral notches 7 for engaging jacks 8 in the needle cylinder 2. Each ring is readily removable for replacement by another having different peripheral formations.

The plates 1 are controlled by springs 10 which act to move the plates away from the needle cylinder while the movement of the plates in the opposite direction is imparted y pins or pro ections 11 inserted in a controlling drum 12, so as to act upon opposing projections 13 on the plates. In this manner the pattern rings are moved towards and from the needle cylinder in accordance with the prearrangement of the pins or projections 11 in the drum.

Rotation is imparted to the rings 5 by means of a rod or key 14 fixed vertically in the hub of a pinion 15 so as to extend through the series of rings each of which has formed therein an open ended slot 16 extending radially from the inner edge for engagement by the rod or key as indicated in Figure 1. The rod or key follows a circular path and, by working in the slots as aforesaid, causes the rings 5 to rotate in the-plates 1. The radial, slots are of a suflicient length toallow the bodily movement of the plates and rings to take place, which movement is preferably timed to occur when, during the rotationof the rings, the slots therein assume a position in line with the direction of movement of the slidable plates. The pinion 15 meshes with a toothed ring 1512 on the needle cylinder 2 so that the rings 5 are driven in proper ratio with the cylinders, the directions -of rotation being shown by arrows in Figure 1.

In another constructional form (Figures 5 and 6) the rotary selecting members are carried by plates or arms la stacked one above another on a rod or post 17 fixed in a bracket 3?), said plates or arms being movable pivotally into and out of the operative position as and when required. Each plate has rotatably mounted therein a ring 5a furnished with internal teeth 16a and serves to carry removably a disc 611 having a peripheral formation for engaging the aforesaid jacks 8. The disc 6a is engaged by pins or pegs 18 in the ring 5a so that it is driven thereby and can be readily removed and replaced by another having a dilferent peripheral formation. Alter I natively the ring 5a may be formed to serve as a selecting member, the disc 60. being dispensed with.

llhe plates or arms 1a are capable of suflicient swinging movement on the post 17 to carry the discs into and out of contact with the jacks 8 and are moved towards and away from the jacks by acontrolling; drum and spring arrangement similar to that already described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

The drive is imparted to the rings 50 by a long pinion 14a which passes through .the centre of the series andengages withthe internal teeth of the rings 5a. The pinion is so. positioned that, while maintaining its mesh with the internally toothed rings 5a it allows the plates lato have the necessary movement for carrying the discs 6a into and out of engagement with the jacks 8-. The pinion is attached to a gear wheel 14?) which in turn is driven from a gear ring 19 on the needle cylinder through intermediate pinions 20, 21 and 21a. the directions of rotation being indicated by arrows.

In this, as in the previously described construction, the rings are continuously driven and the movement of the carrier plates takes place horizontally so that the discs or rings move substantially radially ,into and. out of operative position.

While in Figure 6 only a few of the discs 6a and plates 1a are shown, it will be understood that a full bank of these elements will be provided, one supporting another. In the construction shown in Figure 2, however, 'a full bank of plates or discs may or. may not be provided according to requirements.

In the constructional forms just described,

the rotary rin or discs are notched at their periphery an their action upon the jacks of the knitting machine is a selective one for the purpose of causing certain of the jacks to function in a different manner from the others. The jacks are projected outwards radially as they approach the series of selecting discs, and those jacks which register with notches in the peripheries of the rings or discs remain in their outwardly projected position as indicated in Figure 3' while those which register with the unnotched eriphery of the rings or discs are there y pressed inwards, as represented in Figure 4.

sothat the corresponding needles remain at i a low level as represented at B in Fi 10 and either miss the yarn or tuck. The acks may be projected outwards by cam or other means. The outward projection of the Jacks may be effected by giving them a (ranting movement. 'We find it convenient to employ jacks having anupper extremity 8a of hooked formation, the hook ends engaging a cam 23, Figure 10,suitably positioned and shaped as shown in Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14 to move all the jacks radially outwards prior to selection. The incline 22 is engaged by the hooked ends 8a of those jacks which re main projected after passing the rings or discs as shown-in Figs. 3 and 12, while the hooked end of the jacks, which are pressed inwards as aforesaid avoid engagement with the incline 22 as shown in Figures 4 and 12, with the result previously explained. The jacks are retained in the needle tricks at their lower ends by a rin inner side of which is slightly .inclined as shown in Figures 2, 13 and 14 to permit of the aforesaidcanting movement of the jacks. A

cam 22a having a sloping face as shown in Figures 11 and 12 ensures that all the jacks For exor band 24, the.

are pushed inwards preparatory to engagement with the cam 23. s.

As already mentioned, for operating upon the jacksthe required number of plates and their rings or discs are disposed horizontally and are stacked or piled one above another. It will be understood that when the different rings or discs are put into operation, they will engage with difi'erent parts of the jacks, j

which latter are made of sufficient length to embrace the whole series of rings or discs. The important feature of this pattern mechanism is that the carrier plates are all individually movable and are moved selectively by the controlling drum or by an equivalent controlling device, which drum or device is so desi ned or arranged that any one or more 0 the selecting rings or discs can be brought into action as and when required. Said controlling drum or equivalent also controls the time during which the one or more discs remain in operation and, as previously mentioned, this drum or equivalent may itself be controlled by mechanism of any appropriate kind.

Preferably, the controlling drum consists of a cylinder or sleeve carrying pins or projections as aforesaid, said pins or projections being removable so that their positions can be changed from time to time. The pins may be screwed into holes 11a in the drum, or may be held therein such as by nuts. Preferably, however, the pins are pushed into the holes and are held in position by a cylindrical sleeve or tubular member 120 suitably carried from the bracket 3a, and furnished with a slot 12% see Fig. (3, through which the pins 11a are exposed for action upon the plates. According to the construction shown in Figure 8, each )in 11 has a shoulder 11b up to which the pin is inserted in the drum. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 9, each in is ofuniform diameter and a sleeve 1% 1s fitted tightly in the drum to form a sto for the pins. In another construction pins of a form similar to that shown in Figure 8 may be inserted from the inside of the drmn, and a sleeve may be inserted in the drum for contact with the pin heads so as to take the endwise thrust when the pins act upon the plates as aforesaid.

The drum or cylinder is racked round intermittently b a pawl 25 and ratchet wheel 26, the pawl eing controlled in its action, i. e. disengaged from or allowed to engage the ratchet wheel 26, by a bluff device which consists of an annular member 27 surrounding the ratchet wheel and furnished with an opening 27a through wh ch the pawl engages the ratchet wheel. The bluil' member 27 has suitably imparted thereto a slight rotary or oscillatory movement when required to move and hold the pawl clear of the wheel. The pawl, which is spring controlled, is pivotally mounted on a spring controlled lever 28 operated by a cam 29 on or rotating with the needle cylinder. The lever may carry on its free. end a roller 30 or equivalent for engagement by the cam.

Figure 15 shows the application, to a circular knitting machine, of the mechanism described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, the bracket 3a being attached to the bed plate a of the machine by means of the. screws 1). The pattern discs or wheels act upon the aforesaid jack throu h an opening 0 in the cam box d. Similariy when the mechanism shown in Figures 5 and 6 is used the bracket 36 is attached to the bed plate a so that the discs or wheels 1a operate through the openmg 0.

Where the carriers are stacked or arranged one aboveanother, the construction and arrangement may be such as to enablcsaid carriers to be readily removed or moved to a position to enable the selective members to be changed.

In the construction where swinging carrier plates or arms are arranged on a fulcrum post, the said plates may be removable therefrom to enable the discs to be changed. In the other construct'on described the slidahle carrier plates are held in position by a plate 31 which is attached to one of the supporting pillars 3, so that it can be moved to one side to enable the plates to be extracted. Alternatively the plates may be supported and guided by flanged collars on the supporting pillars. the said collars being removable or rotatable to enable the plates to be removed for changing the discs.

In the construction where the carrier plates have a swinging or oscillating movement we may adopt the form of drive herein described with reference to the slidable carrier plates, i. c. the form including a rod or key.

The invention is not to be confined to the use of the illl])l()\0(l pattern mechanism for producing patterns by any particular method. as it may be employed for producing patterns by almost'any known method. For instance instead of arranging for the pattern mechanism to act upon jacks as aforesaid, sa'd mechanism may, as represented in Fig. 16, be arran ed for selective action upon sinkers or we i-holders 32.

lVhile d'scs or wheels having notched peripheries are convenient for obtaining the desired selective action upon the instrumentali-fies of the machine. it is to be understood that we may use in the improved pattern mechanism selective members of other form, for example, we may employ rotary dev'ces carrying bits or elements such as 6?) (F 19 and 20) or suchas (Figs. 21 to 23) for engaging the instrumentalities.

Provision may be made for knitting paterned fabric on a portion only of the needles. For example when jacks 8 are employed each of those employed with the non-pattern ng needles mav be formed with a recess 81), as shown in Figure 7, so as to enable same to avoid contact with the selecting members when the latter are 'rendered operative as previously described herein. The other jacks i. 0. those associated with the patterning needles are not recessed and therefore are acted on by the selecting members as previously explained. In this way the major ty of the needles e. g. two thirds or some other fraction of the whole, are allowed to knit ordinarily while the remainder produce Ell the pattern in the required portion of the fabric. An arrangement of this kind may be sponding needles to miss one of the yarns at the feeder or at any desired feeder when there are more than one. To prevent operation of the remaining jacks by this member each of these jacks is provided with a notch which registers with the pattern member and is entered by same when the latter is in the operative position.

In lieu of the construction and arrangement aforesaid two or more cams such as 29 may be located at predetermined points around the needle circle in conjunction with appropriate prearrangement of the pins, pegs or other elements in the controlling drum or equivalent, so that one cam serves to put the required selecting member or members into operation, and the other or another determines the withdrawal of the said mem her or members. i

lit will be further understood that the discs or selective members comprising the series have peripheral or operative formations wh ch contrast with each other, so that difierent pattern efiects are produced when the difierent members are put into operation.

In ap lying the invention to a straighthar or at machine, the bracket 3" for the carrier plates 3. and drum 12 may be mounted on t e cam box 34 or equivalent (Figs. Q4 and 25) so that the selecting members can act upon needles or jacks before the stitch cam. Different members may be brought into action by the rotation of the controlling drum 1%, which is brought about at the end of each stroke by earns 35. For reverse action a. switch over cam may be provided, or douhis sets of carriers one on each side of the box or equivalent of the machine may be fitted.

When the pattern mechanism is used to inliuence needles of the machine, the pattern effect may be produced by tuck stitches or missed stitches orby difi'erent coloured yarns, and further, the mechanism may be employed for producing accordion or other particular kinds of fabric. The pattern mechanism may be used for producing reverse plating and for float plating effects.

fVhen discs are used, these may be so punched that it would be necessary to render all of them operative to afi'ect every needle in the cylinder. For instance, the 'discs may be so punched and stacked that one or more series of notches extend throughout the stack in spiral formation in one direction or in op osite directions.

iagonal and like patterns may be made by employing driving gear wherein the gear ratio is such that each disc is caused to select 1 diiferent jacks in difierent e.

g. successive revolutions.

It is also possible to produce as many different patterns in the same fabric as there are discs or other selecting members i. e. by constructing and operating the discs or members so that each produces a complete pattern independently of the other or others.

What we claim now is 1. For a knitting machine wherein elements are to be controlled for patterning,

pattern mechanism comprising a pluralit of pattern devices each constituted by a driven rotary member for action selectively upon said elements, and a movable carrier, said carriers being associated so as to form a unitary. assemblage in which they are movable individually towards and from the elements to be acted upon, means for selectively moving said carriers whereby the associated members are rendered operative and inoperative'in a predetermined manner, and means including a part common to all of said rotary members for rotating same in their carriers. '2. For a knitting machine wherein elements are to be controlled for patterning,

pattern mechanismcomprising a plurality of pattern devices each constituted by a driven rotary member for action selectively upon said elements, and a movable carrier, said carriers being associated so as to form a unitary assemblage in which they are movable individually towards and from the ele-v ments to be acted upon, means for selectively moving'said carriers whereby the associated members are rendered operative and inoperative in a predetermined manner, and means including a part common to all of said members for positively driving the same without interfering with the movement of their carriers and their register with the elements influenced thereby.

For a knitting machine wherein elements are to be controlled for patterning,

to all of said members for rotating same in their carriers.

4; For a knitting machine wherein elements are to be cntrolled for patterning, pattern mechanism comprising a. pluralityv of devices each constituted by. a driven rotary member for action selectively upon said elements, and a movable carrier, said rotary member having a pattern determining pe riphery for action upon said elements, the said carriers being superimposed adjacently for horizontal movement individually, mechanism for selectively moving said carriers whereby the associated members are carried to and from an operative position in a predetermined manner, and driving means including a part common to all of said members and adapted positively to drive the latter without interfering with the movement of the carriers.

5. For a knitting machine wherein elements are to be controlled for patterning,

pat-tern mechanism comprising a plurality of rotary discs for action upon said elements, co-adjacent movable carrier plates for said discs respectively for carrying the latter into and out of an active position, and means for moving said plates individually whereby the associated discs can be rendered operative and inoperative in a predetermined manner.

6. For a knitting machine wherein elements are to be controlled for patterning, pattern mechanism comprising a plurality of rotary discs for action upon said elements, co-adjacent movable carrier plates for said discs respectively for moving the latter into and out of an operative position, means for moving said plates, individually whereby the associated discs are rendered operative and inoperative in a predetermined manner, and means whereby said discs are positively driven without the drive being interfered with by the movement of said discs into and out of action.

7. For a knitting machine wherein elements are to be controlled for patterning, pattern mechanism comprising a plurality of driven discs for action upon said elements, co-adjacent movable carrier plates for said discs respectively for carrying the latter to and from an operative position, means including a pattern device operative u on said carriers for moving the latter se ectively whereby said discs are rendered operative and inoperative in a predetermined manner.

8. For a knitting machine wherein elements are to be controlled for patterning, pattern mechanism comprising a plurality of rotary discs for action upon said elements, co-adjacent movable carrier plates for said discs respectively, means including a pattern device operative upon said plates for selecc tively moving same to carry the discs to and from an operative position, and means for intermittently actuating the pattern device.

9. For a nitting machine wherein elements are to be controlled for patterning,

pattern mechanism comprising a plurality of rotary discs for action upon said elements,

co-adjacent movable carrier plates for said -discs respectively, means including a pattern device operable intermittently for moving said plates selectively to carry the associated discs to and from an operative position, and a driving arrangement including a member common to said discs whereby the latter are rotated without the drive being interfered with by their movement into and out of action.

10. For a knitting machine wherein elements are to be controlled for patterning, pattern mechanism-comprising a plurality of rotary discs for action upon said elements, co-adjacent movable carrier plates for said discs respectively, for carrying the latter into and out of an active position, and a pattern drum having devices prearranged circumferentially thereon for action upon the plates to selectively move 'salne whereby the associated discs are rendered operative in a predetermined manner, means for intermittently rotating the drum, and spring means for rendering the discs inoperative.

11. For a knitting machine wherein ele ments are to be controlled for patterning, pattern mechanism. comprising a plurality of driven discs for action upon said elements, co-adjacent movable carrier plates for said discs respectively, for carrying the latter into and out of an active position, a pattern drum having devices prearranged circumferentially thereon for action upon the plates to selectivel move same whereby the associated members are rendered operative in a predetermined manner, means for intermittently rotating the drum, spring means for rendering the discs inoperative, and a driving arrangement including a member common to the discs whereby the latter are rotated without the drive being interfered with by the movement of the discs into and out of action.

12. In a circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder and independent slidable needles insaid cylinder, pattern mechanism con'iprising a plurality of driven discs for controlling said needles, carriers in which said discs are respectively rotatably mounted, said carriers being arranged co-adjacently and movable individually to carry the associated members into and out of an active position, means including a pattern device operative selectively upon said carriers, whereby the pattern members can be rendered operative and inoperative in a predetermined manner, and means whereby said members are positively driven without the drive being interfered with by the movement of the members into and out of action.

13. In a circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder and independent slidable needles in said cylinder, pattern mechanism comprising a plurality of rotary discs for controlling said needles, co-adjacent movable carrier plates for said discs respectively for moving the latter to and from an active positlon, means including a pattern device opera-- being interfered'with by the movement of the discs into and out of action.

- 14. In a circular knitting machine having a needle cylinder and independent slidable needles in the cylinder, pattern mechanism comprising a plurality of rotary discs for controlling the needles, carrier plates superimposed co-adjacently for horizontal movement to carry the discs towards and from the needle cylinder, means including a pattern device adj acent to said plates for moving the latter selectively whereby the discs can .be

rendered operative and inoperative in a prearranged manner, and a driving arrangement including a member common to the discs whereby the latter are driven collectively without the drive being interfered with by the movement of the. discs into and out of action. V

15. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, independent slidable needles in the cylinder jacks associated with the needles, a cam system for causing said jacks to ailect the action of the needles, and pattern mechanism comprising a plurality of rotary discs for action upon said jacks, co-adjacent movable carrier plates for said discs respectively, for moving the latter towards and from the jacks, means including a pattern device operative upon said plates for selectively moving same whereby the discs can be rendered operative and inoperative in a prearranged manner, and driving mechanism including a member common to ill the discs whereby the latter are driven collectively withoutthe drive being interfered with by the movement of the discs into and out of action.

ill, in a circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, independent'slidable needles in said cylinder, jacks in association with said needles, a cam system for causing the jacks to afl'ect the action of the needles, and pattern mechanism comprising a plurality ofrotary discs for action upon the jacks, carrier plates superimposed co-adjacently for horizontal movement towards and from the needle cylinder, means including a pattern device adjacent to said plates for moving the latter selectively to render the discs operative and inoperative according to requirements, and driving mechanism including a member common to the discs, whereby the latter are rotated collectively without the drive being interfered with by the movement of the discs into and out of action. 17. For a knitting machine wherein elements are to be controlled for producing patterned fabric, pattern mechanism com rising a plurality of pattern devices eacho which "i consists of a rotary member and a movable carrier therefor, said rotary member having a pattern determinin tion selectively upon sail? elements, the said patterning devices being associated with each other so as to form a unitary assemblage in -which they are individually movable bodily towards and from the elements to be acted upon by the rotary pattern-determining members, and means for selectively moving said carriers whereby the associated pattern members are rendered operative and inoperative in a predetermined manner;

18. For a knitting machine wherein elements are to be controlled for producing patterned fabric, pattern mechanism comprising a plurality of pattern devices each of which consists of a rotary member and a movable carrier therefor, said rotary member having a pattern determining periphery for action selectively upon said elements, the said patterning devices being superimposed co-adjacently for horizontal movement individually and bodily towards and from the elements to be acted upon by the" rotary pattern-determiningmembers, and means for selectively moving said carriers whereby the associated pattern members are rendered operative and inoperative in a predetermined manner.

periphery for acand individually movable bodily towards and from the elements to be acted upon by the rotary pattern-determinin members, means i for selectively moving sai carriers whereby the associated pattern members are carried to and from an operative position in a prede terminedmanner, and a driving arrangement including a member common to the pattern members whereby the latter are driven without the drive being interiered with by the movement of said pattern members into and out of action. 20. in a circular knitting machine in combination, a needle cylinder, a series of independent slidable needles in said cylinder, a series of jacks associated with the needles, a cam system for causing the jacks to afiect the action of'the needles, and patterning mechanism comprising a plurality of pattern devices each of which consists of a rotary memjacks to determine their engagement with the cam system, the said patterning devices being associated with each other so as to form a unitary assemblage in which they are individually movable bodily towards and from the jacks to be acted upon by the rotary pattern-determining members, and means for selectively moving said carriers whereby the associated pattern members are rendered operative and inoperative in a predetermined manner.

21. In a circular knitting machine, in combination, a needle cylinder, independent slidable needles in the cylinder, jacks associated with the needles, a cam system for causing said jacks to affect the action of the needles,

and pattern mechanism comprising a plurality of pattern devices each of which consists of a rotary member and a movable carrier therefor, said rotary member having a pattern-determining periphery for action upon the jacks, the said pattern devices being arranged co-adjacently and individually movable bodily towards and from the jacks, means including a pattern device operative selectively upon said carriers whereby the pattern members are rendered operative and inoperative in a predetermined manner, and means whereby said pattern members are positively driven without the drive being interfered with by the movement of the pattern members into and out of action.

In testimony whereof we atfix our signatures..

THOMAS CHARLES BROMLEY. ARTHUR SHORTLAND. 

